Federal Agency Ready To Help County Growers

News in brief

DELAND — Growers who lost trees in the holiday weekend freeze may be eligible for government help in replanting.

The 1989 Tree Assistance Program provides funds to replace trees or seedlings damaged by freezes or droughts, said Ray Thigpen with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To qualify for freeze assistance, growers must have lost more than 45 percent of trees and must own no more than 500 acres of trees. The government will pay 65 percent of the tree replacement costs for damage exceeding 45 percent of the crop. For example, a grower who lost half a crop to the freeze would be reimbursed for 65 percent of the cost to replace 5 percent of the trees.

Before replanting, growers who think they may be eligible should call Thigpen's office at 734-2535.